Adelaide Oval’s reputation as a world-class venue has secured yet another win for South Australia – with a blockbuster NRL Holden State of Origin clash to be held at the iconic stadium in 2020.
It will be the first time a match from the annual best-of-three series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons has been held in South Australia.
No matter who walks away with the trophy, tourism will emerge as the real winner, with more than 30 per cent of fans attending the game expected to come from outside South Australia, delivering an estimated $15 million into the local economy.
A further four million people are expected to watch the historic clash through the game’s national television broadcast, yet again showing off Adelaide Oval as one of the world’s best sporting grounds.
Background
The State Government has provided an additional $70 million in tourism funding to market South Australia interstate and overseas and attract major events and conferences.
The agreement to host the 2020 State of Origin game has been secured through the State Government’s Major Events Bid Fund, which has ensured 54 events will have an estimated economic impact of $245 million.
The State Labor Government’s $535 redevelopment of Adelaide Oval continues to exceed expectations, with more than seven million people having already attended events at the stadium.
Quotes attributable to Tourism Minister Leon Bignell
The State of Origin is one of the nation’s most iconic sporting competitions and we look forward to watching two fierce rivals meet on new soil, at Adelaide Oval.
Most of Australia is glued to the TV when the State of Origin is on. There have been so many great games between the Blues and the Maroons and it’s brilliant we’ll be able to cheer them on live at Adelaide Oval in 2020.
Queensland may have had a decade-long hold over the coveted Holden State of Origin trophy, but it’s South Australia that will emerge the big winner from the showdown with thousands of NRL fans enjoying our local bars, restaurants, hotels and wine regions.
Every NRL fan who travels to Adelaide to watch the game, is another tourism ambassador who can sell South Australia to their friends and family back home.
There is no doubt Adelaide Oval has been a game-changer, not only for Australian sport, but for South Australia’s global reputation.
More and more big name sporting events and entertainment acts are coming to South Australia because of Adelaide Oval, making an important contribution to the State’s growing $6.3 billion visitor economy.
This is yet another example of the State Labor Government standing up for South Australians and delivering a dynamic and profitable sporting and entertainment facility which is the envy of the world.
Quotes attributable to NRL CEO Todd Greenberg
Adelaide is a new market in terms of hosting this match but we know that Origin is a popular event in the city, as it is across the country.
That will only be enhanced when Origin is played at such a historic venue like Adelaide Oval.
I’d like to thank the South Australian Government for their support of the event and I look forward to seeing Australia’s greatest sporting rivalry in Adelaide.
